Kubota Owners/Operators Manuals

[Saxman]

I purchased a new Kubota product this summer (ZD21/Pro60). I am very impressed with the machine and it performs perfectly. However, the owners manual that came with it is a joke! For a machine of this quality and cost, more effort should be put into the manual. It is full of errors and omissions. the illustrations are poor, and some of the statements are just plain incorrect, example: It says that anti-freeze is highly flamable and explosive in certain situations! That is new to me. Are all manuals like this or just for the ZD21's? I plan on letting Kubota know of my displeasure with their efforts in this area. Looking forward to hearing from others out there.

 

[Saxman]

Anybody else have this concern or am I the only one who feels this way? Maybe other Kubota equipment has a different type of manual.

 

[icat]

More effort should always be put into manuals. However, and this doesn't excuse a poor manual, there is very little return on investment when making a great manual. I'd venture to say that most owners manuals are an after thought at best. You should try reading a computer mainboard manual sometime - it's almost comical. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I have the factory manuals for my L3130 and they are pretty nice. I think I glanced at the owners manual for a minute and tossed it aside.

Exploding anti-freeze huh? Well, that's a new one on me. I guess in the right situation you could make just about anything explode (mix it with nitro...) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

ICat:

Hows things down your way??

I think maybe Kubota is referring to the use of alcohol as an antifreeze. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As far as Japanese manuals in general, you have to remember that translator programs don't always translate exactly the way we speak here. So sometimes the results are comical and sometimes frustrating. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I remember the first Kubota I had, a B-1600. That manual was comical too. My latest manual for the 5030 is light years ahead of that first one. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[5030]

I might add, that for a really good laugh, pick up an English car manual or motorcycle manual.

Some of the English terms are interesting. Like "grub screws" (worms or bolts??) "spanner" (open end wrench). When the English want you to tighten something, they call it "fixing it". I always thought that if it ain't broke, don't fix it!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[art]

Some times we have to divide a little to move ahead. The manuals are made for everyone. Some who visit here and some that think the end of the cow to hug has a tail! Don't get me wrong as everyone should read there manual as I would hope you might find some thing there that is worth you time, regardless of initial observations!

 

[bellweather]

I was also disappointed with the manual...the instructions for removing/mounting the FEL and BH are poorly written and the illustrations nearly useless.

 

[frankz]

I didn't have great expectations for the manual for my B1550 when I noted its title in large letters on the cover, "Operator Manuel."

 

[Clammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Some times we have to divide a little to move ahead. The manuals are made for everyone. Some who visit here and some that think the end of the cow to hug has a tail! Don't get me wrong as everyone should read there manual as I would hope you might find some thing there that is worth you time, regardless of initial observations! )</font>

Art, sounds like you are a man of experience! which end of the cow do you hug? LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif John

 

[icat]

Hey 5030 - things down my way are strange indeed. We Texans are ususally blessed with a mild winter (it's what we get by paying with heat all summer long) - but this October has been wierd - even for Texas! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It will be 85 one day for the high, the next day the high is lower than the low the previous day! Seems 30 degree shifts are going to be the norm this year. That and we're in one of those weather patterns where it's simply beautiful all week long - while we're at work. Then come Friday night it turns cool and starts to rain! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Oh well, you know what they say about Texas weather - If you don't like it, wait a minute - it'll change! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

On the manuals, I love the way they use incorrect tense and leave off the plurals. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Reminds me of a college class I had at UH. Biology lab had a Chinese speaking instructor - must have been fresh off the boat. I'll never forget one question on a lab test. And this is word for word...

Fish die. Why fish die?
a) Fish no like water.

Can't recall the rest of the answers. I do recall that "a" wasn't correct! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif